Manchester United's Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen. (REUTERS/Paul Childs)
Manchester United’s season continues to veer between fleeting hope and crushing disappointment.
After what looked like a turning point with their spirited victory over Chelsea last week, the Red Devils stumbled once more at the weekend — falling to a 3-1 defeat against Brentford, the former club of summer signing Bryan Mbeumo.
It was another performance lacking spark and organisation, with the only bright note being a simple finish for summer signing Benjamin Šeško, his first Premier League goal. But for many fans, the result only added weight to the growing calls for manager Rúben Amorim to face scrutiny.
United’s defensive fragility was again on display, and it seems Amorim now has a clear plan for how to solve it.
United Ready to Move for Branthwaite
Per The Mirror, United have set their sights firmly on Jarrad Branthwaite, with plans in motion to launch a formal approach next summer.
The Everton centre-half has been admired at Old Trafford for some time, but previous talks collapsed when the Merseyside club refused to compromise on their valuation. Even so, Branthwaite has remained at the top of United’s shortlist, with insiders convinced he’s the ideal candidate to take over from Harry Maguire once the veteran departs.
Maguire, approaching his 33rd birthday and out of contract in June, is unlikely to receive an extension from new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Amorim is also wary of the recurring injuries suffered by Lisandro Martínez, leaving the Portuguese coach eager to bring in a young but proven defender who can be relied upon week in, week out.
Branthwaite ticks every box.
Calm in possession, dominant in duels, and intelligent with his positioning, he has become the bedrock of Everton’s backline and forced his way into the England setup. Former Everton boss Sean Dyche once described him as “assured,” and that quality has shone through whether he’s playing in a low block at club level or stepping up on the international stage.
For United, capturing Branthwaite would not just plug a gap — it would be a statement signing that reshapes the defence for years to come.
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